Toilet-case for automobiles.



M. F. MCF/IRLAND. TOILET CASE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, ISU.

Patented oct. 23,1917.

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' MELVIN '.F. MGFARLAND, OF BUFFALO, lNllW YORK.

TOILET-CASE ron AUroMoBILEs.

intense.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Got. 23, 191'?.

Application led April 2, 1917.' Serial No. 159,148.

. not in use, is practically invisible, whereby Kso the case in no way detracts from Vthe interior decoration of the car.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple and inexpensive stop device for the case which normally'limits its outward movement on reaching a position for conveniently withdrawing its contents and which at the same time is so constructed as to allow the case to be swung down to a lower or substantially horizontal position for assembling the parts.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an automobile equipped wlth the improved toilet case. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the case, its frame or mountingand the adjacent wall 'of vthe automobile, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section at right anglesto Fig. 2, the plane of the section being on line 3 3, in said ligure. Fig.v 4 is a trans-- verse section of thecase and mounting on line 4 4, Fig/3. Fig. 5 -is a vertical section on line 5-5, Fig. 2. i

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. n

One of the walls of the automobile body, for example, the wall 1 behind the front seat, is provided with a recess or pocket 2 in which is seated the frame or mounting 3 of the toilet case 4. In the preferred construction shown in the drawings, the case and the frame are rectangular and the recess 2 is of corresponding form and dimensions, ex-

cept at its top where a space is left to accommodate a locking catch for the toilet case and a releasing device therefor, hereinafter more fully described. The back of the frame 3 may be closed by a plate 5, which 1s suitably secured thereto. At its front edge this frame is provided with an. outwardly-extending marginal ange 6 preferably seated in a rabbet 7 in the wall 1, so as to be flush therewith, and secured therein by screws 8 passing through said flange, 'as shown in Fig. 2. The interior of the frameincluding its back plate 5, is covered with the same cloth or material 9 as the interior of the car body and this material also covers the face'of the flange 7. The frame is preferably constructed of sheet metal but it may be made of wood, or other appropriate material, if desired.

Normally arranged within the recess formed by this frame, is the toilet case 4 which is hinged to the frame, preferably at its lower edge, as shown at 10, so that the case may be swung out sufliciently to aiord convenient access to the toilet bottles, card case, or other contents, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and by full lines in Fig. 4.

This case may also be constructed of sheet metal; f Its upper edge preferably terminates short of the top of the frame 3, while its front plate 11 is of sufficient height to snugly fit vthe frame when covered with a suitable fabric 12, whichin practice usually -matches the material with which the interior of the car is decorated. The toilet case is hinged to the frame insuc l' manner-that when closed, its face-plate is yush with the interior covering of the car body, thus -producing a neat finish and'completely concealing the toilet case.

rIhe case may be iilterlocks with a corresponding hook or lip 15 secured to the portion of thefrontl plate 12 which projects above the toilet case, as seen in Fig. 2. This elbow.l lever is pivoted at 16 to the top memberof the. frame 3 which is recessed-at 17 for the passage of the upper arm of the-catchf Bearing against the front side of this arm is a push button 18 which is guided in an vopening in the flange 6 of said frame and arperforated lug 19 bent up from the upper member of the frame and forming the recess 17.

A spring 20, 'preferably applied tothe hinge 10 of the toilet case, tends constantly to swing the case to its open position when unlocked by pressing the button. 18.

In order to limit the outward movement locked in its closed posi-- tion by any suitable means, that shown in the drawin s comprising a vertically swing- -tially open position, such asshown by dotner wall of the toilet case near its lower end and arranged in a suitable guide 22. This' bolt is adapted to be projected into a notch 23, formed in the adjacent side wall of the frame 3 and to engage the front edge 24 thereof to arrest the toilet case. ln the preferred fo-rm shown, said edge is inclinedto. stop or support the toilet case in a position` to permit convenient withdrawal of its contents and yet prevent the articles from falling out of the case.

To facilitate the covering, of the parts, it is desirable to attach the toilet case to its frame or mounting 3 after the latter has been secured in the recess of the car wall. To permit this, the stop or bolt 22 is made -retractable, as shown, so that in fastening the lower hinge leaf 25 of the toilet case to the frame, the case may assume a horizontal,

position and after being attached tof the frame and swung up into the position shown by full lines in Fig. 4 and by' dotted lines in Fig. 2, said boltmay be projected to its operative position, as best shown in Fig. 3. Eor this purpose the /bolt may be provided in the upper edge of its rear portion with a notch 26 adapted to receive a screw driver or other tool for moving it into engagement with the frame-notch 23. Y

rllo obtain access to the toilet case, it is only necessary to press the button 18, whereupon the spring 20 will throw the case to its open position, and after using and replacing the desired articles, the case is simplyA pushed back into the frame in which it is automati cally locked by the catch 13.

rlhe case when out of use is completely hidden from view, except its front wall, but

Laaaese .1. rllhe combination of a frame adapted to be secured in a recess of an automobile body, a toilet case tted in said frame and hinged thereto to swing into and out of the frame, and a retractable stop carried by the toilet case and arranged to engage said frame to limit the opening movement of the case.

2. rlhe combination of a frame adapted to be secured in a recess of an automobile body, a toilet case fitted in said frame and hinged at its lower end to swing into and out of the same, and a horizontally-sliding bolt mounted on the toilet case and arranged to engage said frame in a partially-open position of the case.

3. rll`he combination of a frame adapted to be secured in a recess ofan automobile body, a toilet case itted in said frame and hinged at its lower end to swing into and out of the same, said frame being provided in one of its side walls with a notch, and a sliding bolt'mounted on the toilet case and adapted to enter said notch to limit the opening movement of the case.

4. rlhe combination of a frame adapted to be secured in a recess of an automobile body, said frame being provided in one of its side walls with a notch, a toilet case arranged in said frame and hinged at its lower end thereto, the face o-f the case being normally Hush with the face of said frame, a sliding stop-bolt mounted on the case and arranged to enter said notch, a spring tending to throw the case to its open position, and a MELVllN 1F. MOFARLAND, 

